Chapter Nineteen

"I t was selfless of you to miss the ceremony, Mother. It was short, and went off very well. Harriet had a happy wedding day. Did you encounter any difficulties?"

"None at all. I called Norton to your father's bedchamber just after midnight. He summoned the doctor, who pronounced him dead and made out the death certificate.

"At six this morning, the undertaker removed his corpse, and I dispatched a messenger to Campden Hill to bring you the news."

Thomas checked his pocket watch. "It's eight o'clock—time to summon Fowler."

Barbara Anson closed her eyes and pressed her lips together.

"Don't be afraid, Mother. I hold the whip hand."

Thomas went up to his own chamber and changed into a black suit. As he checked his image in the mirror, his thoughts were reflective. His death has not brought me the overwhelming relief I expected. Perhaps because all hope of reconciliation between us died with him. He laughed at his own folly. Thomas, never look back and never think twice. He realized that all he could do was look to the future, and once again he vowed to give his own children the love he had never received.

An hour later, when attorney Martin Fowler knocked on the door of 15 St. James's Square, it was Thomas who opened it. "Fowler," he acknowledged curtly.

Fowler pierced him with a glare from behind his spectacles. "I understand the Earl of Lichfield has died?" He sounded as if he couldn't quite believe it.

"You understand correctly." When the attorney stepped over the threshold, Thomas closed the door. "Follow me up to the library."

As he ascended the stairs, Thomas could feel the animosity radiating from the man of law, and he wondered just when Fowler had discovered there was only one Last Will and Testament in the Anson file. It must have been recently, or he would have flown here like a homing pigeon.

When they arrived in the library, Thomas's mother, garbed in traditional widows' weeds, was already present.

Fowler nodded. "Lady Lichfield."

"Thank you for answering the summons so promptly, Mr. Fowler."

The attorney set his leather portfolio down on the desk.

"Feel free to use my desk, Fowler," Thomas said graciously.

"The Earl of Lichfield made his last wishes exceedingly clear to me during the last few weeks of his life. He stipulated—"

"I am fully aware that my father frequently consulted you about changing his will. We are quite prepared to have you read it, Fowler." Thomas held a chair for his mother, then took the seat behind his desk. There was no other chair in the room.

Fowler opened his case and took out a sheaf of papers. Then he hesitated for a moment and shoved them back into the case. "The Earl of Lichfield kept his Last Will and Testament in the iron safe in his bedchamber."

"Alas, we will not be able to retrieve it. My father never gave me the combination to his safe."

"He entrusted the combination to me," Fowler said with grim satisfaction.

"Are you sure?" Thomas asked in disbelief.

"Quite sure. If you would accompany me to the safe, I shall be happy to retrieve the earl's Last Will and Testament and read it to you."

Thomas bowed his head in acquiescence. "Lead on. I'm sure you remember the well-traveled path to his bedchamber."

Fowler picked up his case and headed from the library. Thomas offered his hand to his mother, and they followed the attorney to the late earl's chamber. Fowler opened the bedroom door and paused when he saw the empty bed. Then he walked to the safe, set his case down on top of it, and searched until he found a folded sheet of paper.

He knelt before the safe, dialed the first two numbers, then consulted the paper, and dialed the last three numbers. He opened the safe door, reached inside, and drew out the will. When he found only one document, he peered inside, and felt around with futile determination.

He stood up and whirled about to face Anson with a piercing look that was so accusatory, it would have intimidated a less dominant man. Bristling with outrage, he opened the document, and saw that it was the earl's original will. "This safe has been tampered with. Your father's Last Will and his signed affidavit have been removed!"

Thomas demanded in outrage, "Are you accusing my mother of duplicity?"

"Of course not. It is you—"

"I believe you knew my father well enough to know he would never trust me with the combination to his private safe."

"The earl stipulated that if he died before you wed, you were to be disinherited."

"I was married yesterday to the eldest daughter of the Duke of Abercorn," Thomas said smoothly. "You are here for the sole purpose of reading my father's will. I suggest you get on with it."

Fowler held up the document. "You know exactly what it says. There is no need for me to read it."

"Nonetheless, I would ask that you do so. As the deceased's attorney, it is your legal obligation and duty."

Fowler stared down at the document he held. His hand shook with thwarted anger as he read the words in a droning tone bequeathing Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire, to Thomas Anson, the late Earl of Lichfield's legal heir.

When the attorney was finished, Thomas held out his hand for the document. "Thank you, Fowler. Your legal services are no longer required."

Fowler's face turned dark with fury. "The Earl of Lichfield stipulated—"

" I am the Earl of Lichfield. You are dismissed."

Fowler grabbed his case and scurried from the room like a cockroach.

"Thank you, Thomas. The affront to the vile swine was almost too much for him to bear. It was he who had to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation for a change."

"What time is the burial?"

"I explained to the undertaker that we would like him buried today. He was aware that Hanwell Cemetery in Ealing was for the exclusive use of St. George's parishioners. He told me that he could not have the coffin there until five o'clock."

Thomas nodded. "Did you send word to my sisters?"

"Yes. They will be as relieved as we are, and their husbands even more so. I will finally be able to visit my daughters." Barbara Anson shuddered and walked to the door. "I cannot bear to be in this room one more minute."

Thomas summoned Norton and the rest of the servants. "I want this room emptied today. Give the furniture to a poor family in need. I want even the carpet and drapes stripped from the room. Norton, while I'm away at Shugborough, have the room painted."

Harry stood at the window that overlooked the driveway long after it was too dark to see anything. All her thoughts were focused on Thomas . He always had a difficult relationship with his father, though he never spoke of it. Her uncle John had told her Thomas was the antithesis of his father, and she believed that the earl had had a profound influence on his son. The reason Thomas has such rigid morals and is so honorable and straitlaced is due to his father's disreputable character.

"Standing at the window won't make him come any sooner, my dear. Can I make you a cup of tea?"

"No, thank you, Mrs. Bailey. You needn't wait up with me. I won't require anything else tonight."

"I'm off, then. There's brandy on the sideboard, should you feel the need."

"Thank you. Good night."

Harry rearranged all the pillows on the sofa and thought of Barbara Anson. She is free at last. I wonder how many years she has endured an unhappy marriage. It's been a dozen years since everything at Shugborough was sold at auction, but when I went to dinner, she confided that it held too many unhappy memories for her. She could have been in purgatory long before everything had to be sold to settle her husband's gambling debts.

Harry went to the window again. Perhaps Thomas won't return tonight. It must have been a stressful day, both for him and for his mother. Perhaps she needs his company tonight. I think I'll go up to bed. There is no point in my sitting here alone, worrying and wondering. She picked up the brandy, turned out the lamp, and went upstairs to the lovely yellow bedchamber.

She undressed and put on the white silk nightgown that had lain forgotten last night.

Then she turned out the lamp and got into bed. This bed is so wide, it feels strange to lie here alone. She stroked the pillow where her husband's head had lain, and her cheeks felt warm when she thought of the way he had made love to her. Thomas gave me absolute proof that he loves me. She closed her eyes and saw his dark image on her closed eyelids. Harry curled over onto her side and imagined she could feel the warmth of his powerful body behind her.

Some time later, a noise made her open her eyes. She did not know if she had been asleep or not. When she sat up, she realized that Thomas was there. She slipped from bed and relit the lamp. It revealed his face, taut and unsmiling. "I missed you fiercely."

He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her hair. "It's over and done."

"Would you like some brandy?" she asked softly.

He nodded. "Have some with me."

Harry poured the brandy and Thomas undressed. She handed him his glass, and together they downed the fiery liquor. They kissed and when they tasted the brandy on their lips, they smiled into each other's eyes. Harry got back into bed, and then Thomas turned out the lamp and followed her. When he gathered her against his heart, Harry put her arms around him and held him tightly. They clung together for more than an hour as the warmth of their bodies seeped into each other. Then they drifted off to sleep, safe in each other's arms.

Harry awoke to a room filled with sunshine. When she opened her eyes, she found her husband watching her. His eyes shone with silver this morning and she instantly realized that the dark mood of yesterday had lifted, and in its place was an atmosphere of love, happiness, and anticipation.

"Good morning, my beauty."

"Yes, it is a good morning, Lord Lichfield."

His arms swept about her, and his mouth captured hers in a long, slow kiss. When their lips parted, she said breathlessly, "If the kissing starts, we'll never get to Shugborough today. I want both desperately, so you must decide which it is to be."

Thomas made no effort to hide his amusement. "I'm guessing Shugborough is your first choice, Lady Lichfield. You'd better get dressed before you tempt me to dalliance."

She lifted her mouth to his. "Hurry and dress. Don't take time to shave. I want to see you haul all this luggage again just to impress me." Every time you do something to please me, you are proving your love. In church, you vowed to love and cherish me, and I truly believe you do. Harry sighed with happiness. I'm the luckiest bride in the world.

"Shugborough Hall. We are home!" Harry grabbed his arm and dug in her fingers. "Oh, Thomas, those are the loveliest words I've ever uttered. It's still dusk, and there's just enough light left to see the hall in all its glory."

"It's a good thing we stopped only once to water the horses and enjoy the food that Mrs. Bailey so thoughtfully packed for us, or it would be full dark."

When they drove up to the stables, a groom came out to greet him. "Welcome home, Lord Anson." His appreciative glance went to the lady who accompanied Thomas.

"I'm the Earl of Lichfield now, Toby, and this is my countess, Lady Harriet. Would you send your boy up to the house to let Mrs. Stearn know what to expect? I'll unharness the horses and get them into stalls. You can give them a rubdown and feed them."

Toby grinned. "That I will, Lord Lichfield. Welcome to Shugborough, my lady."

"Thank you, Toby. I've been enamored with Shugborough since I was a child." Harry waited until Thomas unharnessed the pair of carriage horses; then she took the bridle of one. "I'll take him to his stall. You lead and I'll follow."

Thomas teased, "I'm extremely flattered that you are bowing to my authority."

She flashed him a mischievous smile. "Enjoy it while you can—it won't last long."

Toby gaped at the lovely young countess, who handled the carriage horse with skill.

The black hunter, Nemesis, whickered a greeting when he heard his master's voice, and Thomas rubbed his nose and spoke affectionate words to him. Then he hauled Harry's trunk to his shoulder and picked up one of the traveling bags. "I'll send Vickerstaff for the rest of the luggage," he told Toby.

As they walked from the stable, they met the young boy returning from the house, and Harry said, "Hello, there. What's your name?"

"My name is Toby too," he informed her.

"Well, Tobytoo, was Mrs. Stearn surprised?"

The boy grinned. "She were that, lady. She's in a fair tizzy."

Harry glanced up at her bridegroom. "Me too," she whispered.

When the newlyweds stepped onto the elegant, columned portico, the front door swung open. Thomas set down the luggage, and picked up his bride. Harry slid her arms about his neck, thoroughly delighted that her husband was carrying her over Shugborough's threshold. He set her down before the staff that had been hastily assembled by Mrs. Stearn.

Thomas said solemnly, "It gives me great pleasure to present my wife, the Countess of Lichfield. I know you will serve her as faithfully as you have served me."

The housekeeper-cook bobbed a curtsy. "Welcome to your new home, Lady Lichfield."

"I'm sure she would prefer that you call her Lady Harry," Thomas said.

"Then Lady Harry it is." Mrs. Stearn began her introductions with the two males. "This is Mr. Ramsey, Shugborough's steward, and John Vickerstaff, our footman."

Harry held out her hand to the steward. "How do you do, Mr. Ramsey?" Then she shook Vickerstaff's hand. "I am promoting you to butler , John."

Vickerstaff glanced swiftly at the new earl. When he saw no dark look of disapproval, he straightened his shoulders. "Thank you, my lady. It will be my pleasure to serve you."

Mrs. Stearn moved on to the female servants. "This is Dorothy Nicklin, my kitchen maid, and Sally Willis, the scullery maid. Molly-Ann Hooper is the laundry maid, and this is Mary Trudgett, the stillroom maid." The housekeeper-cook looked apologetic. "I'm sorry we don't have a lady's maid for you, but it's been donkey years since Shugborough has had a mistress."

Harry greeted them all by name, and then smiled at the stillroom maid. "I think Mary would make a lovely lady's maid." She took her husband's hand and winked suggestively. "I won't need you tonight, but tomorrow you can help me unpack."

Mrs. Stearn threw the master an accusing glance. "If you'd let me know you were coming, I'd have prepared a grand dinner for you."

"Whatever you have cooked will be delicious, as always, Mrs. Stearn."

There was a loud meow, and the gray Persian cat came running into the entrance hall. It rubbed itself against Thomas's ankles.

"Here's Kouli-Kahn to welcome you. How lovely." Harry bent down and picked up Thomas's feline. "Who's a beauty? That's right, Kouli is a beauty." She was rewarded with a loud purr.

John Vickerstaff was dispatched for the rest of the luggage, and once again Thomas lifted Harry's trunk to his shoulder and headed for the stairs.

"May I choose our bedchamber?" Harry asked breathlessly.

"No."

"Why not?"

"My room, the master bedchamber, is the only one that's furnished, sweetheart."

Harry was aghast. "Thomas, I'm so sorry. I'm extremely thoughtless at times."

He led the way to his chamber, set down her trunk, and watched her face.

"Oh, it is a splendid room, and furnished so elegantly."

He could tell she was surprised. "It took a great deal of time and effort to restore this master chamber to its original grandeur."

She twirled about the spacious room. "It was worth it." The tall windows that faced east had gold brocade drapes with black tassels. A huge four-poster bed was hung with matching curtains, and the black velvet cover was embroidered with golden lilies and dragonflies. The thick-piled Oriental carpet boasted a pattern of brilliant blues, gold, and jade green. On the wall that faced the bed, there was a fireplace with jade green tiles. The andirons were fashioned into brass monkeys, and the pokers and coal tongs had matching monkey handles. A double wardrobe covered one wall with polished silver mirrors mounted on the doors. The final wall was lined with black and gold lacquered cabinets. A games table held a chess set whose chessmen were carved animals.

"Oh, the kings are stags, and the pawns are dear little hares. I love it!"

Thomas joined her before the games table. He raised her chin with his fingers.

"Stags rampant ," he emphasized.

"You have a wicked humor."

"I warrant you can match me in that department."

"You mean I give as good as I get."

He waggled his eyebrows. "That remains to be seen."

Harry blushed at his innuendo. "Let's go and eat—then we can come back up to this glorious chamber and shut out the world."

Mrs. Stearn had set the table with the few Spode china pieces that Shugborough possessed. She served the earl and countess with a humble dish of lamb shanks cooked with barley, along with a dish of salad greens from the kitchen garden.

Thomas couldn't stop watching Harry eat because she enjoyed her food with relish. "You do everything with passion, and I find that not only admirable but stimulating."

Harry licked her lips. "I love this sort of food. While we are here, let's spend some time in the kitchens, and you can give me some cooking lessons."

"Instructing you, in all things, will give me great pleasure," he promised.

She felt Kouli rub against her ankles and selected a morsel of lamb for her.

"You shouldn't feed her at the table."

Harry laughed. "I shouldn't, but I shall!"

Their dessert was pears poached in wine, served with a dish of clotted cream. Harry accompanied her last mouthful with a drawn-out "Mmmm!" Then she dipped her finger in the cream and let the Persian cat lick it off.

Thomas opened his mouth to protest, and in a flash, she dipped in a finger and held out the cream for him to lick. Without hesitation, he took her finger into his mouth and sucked off the cream. "You revel in audacity. You want me to think it is the same finger you offered Kouli, but I know better. The thing is, I don't really care."

"Hell and Furies, you're catching on to my tricks. I'll have to invent some new ones."

Mrs. Stearn apologized when she brought in a jug of ale.

"Home-brewed ale is perfect, Mrs. Stearn. Thomas is taking me to the brewhouse tomorrow to show me how it's made."

His lips twitched. "Lady Lichfield, you have taken to making declarations."

Harry smiled into his eyes. "Yes, I know. I caught the habit from you."

"How in the name of hellfire will two such strong-willed people survive?"

"Love conquers all! I warrant we'll rub along together very well."

"Come to think of it, you did vow to obey me," he teased.

"Dream on, Lord Bloody Lichfield." Harry jumped up from the table and began to run. Thomas was after her in a flash and caught her before she left the dining room. He lifted her into his arms and captured her mouth in a sensual kiss.

"Ooh," she said languidly, "do give me some orders, darling."

"I'm taking you to the moonlit walled garden. Do not resist."

"I am incapable of resisting either you or the garden."

The huge harvest moon bathed them in light as he carried her through the gate in the wall. He set her feet to the grass, then took her hand so they could stroll through the garden that was so special to Harry. The night-scented stocks and heliotrope perfumed the warm air, and the sounds of the splashing fountain lured them from beneath the shadowed trees. The call of a nightingale echoed hauntingly, and they stood still so they could listen to the cricket chirps and the rustle of small animals.

"Cratures," she murmured softly. Absolute perfection.

He drew her to the bench and pulled her into his lap. They whispered love words between kisses, and Harry sighed blissfully. "I hope we are always as happy as we are tonight." She caressed his cheek and found it rough. Desire flared in her. "Don't shave."

He captured her hand and dropped a kiss into her palm. "Let's go up."

She kissed his ear and whispered, "Yes . . . let's."

. . .

Halfway up the staircase, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the master bedchamber. He kicked the door closed with his foot and set her down on the edge of the wide, curtained bed. Then he knelt before her and removed her shoes. "Since you nominated me to be your lady's maid tonight, I intend to enjoy the role." His hands went beneath her skirt, and his palms stroked up her legs. His fingers slid past her garters to caress the soft, bare flesh where her stockings ended. When he felt her shiver with pleasure, he slowly drew off her garters and stockings. "Prettiest things I've ever seen."

"The blue garters belonged to Mother."

"I don't mean the garters—I mean your delicate feet and ankles." He lifted one to his lips, kissed it, then trailed the tip of his tongue across her high instep. When he set her foot to the thick-piled carpet, he watched her toes curl.

Harry lifted her other foot. "Now this one." She smiled into his eyes when he repeated the pretty gesture.

He pulled her up from the bed and turned her around. He unfastened the long line of buttons on the back of her dress, lifted her dark curls, and kissed the nape of her neck.

"I love the feel of your lips on my skin."

"That's good. I intend to kiss every delicious inch of you."

She stepped from her gown and stood before him. "You have to undo the strings," she said breathlessly.

"You wore the corset just for me."

"I did. Tonight, I will allow you to pull my strings."

"But not every night?"

"That depends on how much pleasure it brings."

"To you, or to me?" he teased.

As he took the strings into his hands, she stood on tiptoe, raised her chin, and looked into his eyes. "I hope I give you as much pleasure as you give me, Thomas." I'm mad in love with you, my dark centaur. As her corset fell away, he cupped her full breasts, and Harry reached out to unfasten his shirt.

When they were both naked, she said, "Help me to fold this exquisite velvet cover. I imagine the bedsheets will be in a terrible tangle before we are done."

The golden lily and dragonfly cover was safely set aside. "Any more orders, m'lady?"

"Perhaps a game of chess?" she teased.

"I do have a game in mind, but I assure you it isn't chess." He scooped her up and rolled onto the bed with her. His kisses began at her dainty feet, and his lips made their slow ascent from ankles, to calves, to knees, and on up the delicate flesh on the insides of her thighs. Though he had vowed to kiss every inch of her skin, he was suddenly diverted from his intent when his lips arrived at her high mound of Venus. He blew warm breath on the tiny black spiral curls, and heard Harry's swift intake of breath.

His thumbs brushed aside her curls and the tip of his tongue explored her sensitive woman's center. When he plunged his tongue inside her sugared cleft, she cried out with both surprise and pleasure. "Thomas, you make me feel wicked as sin."

His mouth made her writhe with delight and she threaded her fingers into his coal black curls, loving the crisp texture of his hair and the roughness of his tongue. The hot, sliding friction built up inside her and spilled over in delicious quivers as her pulsations began. When he withdrew his tongue, she lay sprawled before him in silken splendor.

He moved over her and she gazed up at him. "You make me feel beautiful."

He kissed her over and over. Tiny kisses, quick kisses, slow melting kisses, and urgent kisses that aroused her desire to madness. "Now, Thomas. Love me now!"

Harry wrapped her legs about his back and gasped when he thrust his marble-hard erection inside her scalding sheath. She closed sleekly around him, and as he began to move, she opened her mouth, loving the satin slide of his tongue as it matched the throbbing rhythm of his demanding cock. She felt as if she would go up in smoke as her burning desire turned to flame. His man-scented skin provoked a sensuality she didn't know she possessed. Suddenly the night exploded into a million tremors as he impaled her with a driving thrust that sent them both over the edge into shuddering ecstasy.

He lay still so that he could enjoy every exquisite pulsation of her lush body. Then he whispered words of adoration that made her heart melt. With my body I thee worship.

The words floated through her mind as she clung to him, and her mouth curved in a contented smile as she drifted off to sleep, secure in the knowledge that her husband truly loved and adored her.